Ontario Invests in the Future of Francophone Tourism
Funding will support safe performances, festivals and local marketing campaigns
March 19, 2021
Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries
OTTAWA — The Ontario government is investing more than $2 million to support Francophone tourism across the province, ensuring Ontario’s Francophone community continues to contribute to the province’s diverse tourism sector. This funding will support a wide range of Francophone initiatives, such as safe public performances, safe in-person Francophone festivals, and locally driven marketing campaigns to strengthen the Francophone tourism industry.Details were provided today by Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, and Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Francophone Affairs and Minister of Transportation, in advance of International Francophonie Day.
“Our government recognizes the important contributions Ontario’s Francophones have made over the past 400 years to the social, cultural and economic development of the province. We are proud to provide Ontario’s Francophone tourism industry with the support they need to maintain operations, protect jobs and plan for the recovery of COVID-19,” said Minister MacLeod. “The investments we’re making in Ontario’s tourism industry, and in Francophone tourism opportunities in particular, will offer communities unique Francophone experiences in their own backyard, when it is safe to do so.”
The investments include:
- More than $1.5 million through the Ontario Arts Council to support 36 organizations throughout the province that offer safe public performances and activities of interest to Francophone tourists, such as Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario, La Nouvelle Scène Gilles Desjardins and Le Théâtre la Tangente.
- Nearly $300,000 through Celebrate Ontario and the Reconnect Festival and Event Program to support 14 virtual and safe in-person Francophone festivals across the province that contribute to local economies and enrich quality of life across the province, such as Bonjour Printemps, Festival Jeunesse en ligne and le FrancoFEST.
- $250,000 to support Société économique de l’Ontario – a leader in Ontario’s Francophone and bilingual economic sector that includes:
- $100,000 through a partnership between Destination Ontario and Destination Canada to develop and deliver locally driven marketing campaigns to strengthen the Francophone tourism industry.
- $150,000 through the Grants in Support of Tourism Regions – Pan-regional Fund that will be used to research and develop tools to support the recovery of the Francophone tourism industry.
- $75,000 through the Tourism Economic and Development Recovery Fund to support Le Centre culturel ARTEM to develop new and safe Indigenous and Francophone tourism experiences in northeastern Ontario, such as a guided hike to a local sacred space or an ice fishing trip.
“Francophone tourism is a valuable asset for the economic development of the Franco-Ontarian community and for Ontario’s overall economy,” said Minister Mulroney. “With these strategic investments, the government is supporting local economies and ensuring members of Ontario’s Francophone community continue to contribute fully to the province’s overall prosperity.”
By investing in these organizations and events the government is helping to provide the support and stability needed for Francophone communities to recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19.
Quick Facts
- Ontario is home to more than 620,000 Francophones and has the largest number of Francophones in Canada outside of Quebec.
- International Francophonie Day is observed every year on March 20 to celebrate the French language and Francophone culture.
- Tourism is a key economic driver in Ontario, supporting more than 400,000 jobs and generating over $36 billion in spending.
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